As NSU Spartans roll, junior center makes good on promiseNORFOLK, Virginia -- At 7 feet tall, with long arms that discourage would-be shooters, Brandon Goode is difficult to miss in a crowd. Yet, for much of the past two years, he was lost in the shadow of Kyle O'Quinn.
Last season, O'Quinn was the star of the best team in Norfolk State's basketball history. The 6-foot-10 center led the Spartans to their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title, then guided them to an improbable 86-84 victory over second-seeded Missouri in the NCAA tournament.
Goode, a junior from the Bronx, was O'Quinn's backup and rarely left the bench. During NSU's three victories in the MEAC tournament and the win over Missouri, he cheered from the sidelines.
Not until the Spartans lost to Florida in the NCAA tournament did he play a second during the postseason.
"By the time I got in, we were way behind," said Goode, who had one rebound in five minutes against the Gators. Over the 24 regular-season games in which he played, he scored 19 points and had 19 rebounds.
Much has changed this season. Goode has emerged as one of the Spartans' most effective and, at times, intimidating players.
Norfolk State (16-10, 11-0 MEAC) carries a 10-game winning streak into tonight's contest at Hampton (10-13, 7-3), which will be televised on ESPNU at 7.
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